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Lethbridge Herald, The (Newspaper) - February 5, 1974, Lethbridge, Alberta
4 LITHMIDQE HERALD Ntoruary 8, 1W4 EDITORIALS World development Preoccupation with the rapidly shifting economic situation resulting from the energy crisis could obliterate what little awareness there is, in the minds of people in the industrialized nations, of those in the developing nations. The tragedy of this is immense for all mankind almost immediately for those in the'developing nations and only delayed for the rest because it is one world.- In his third annual message, Paul Germ-Lajoie, president of the Canadian International Development Agency, recently said, "Only an enlightened public opinion in Canada and in the world can sustain the determination of governments in the years ahead to fight against disparities and inequalities." Without the pressure of public opinion the whole concept of working for the betterment of the world could falter and fade away. Mr. Gerin-Lajoie says, "The present struggle against underdevelopment and poverty is a race against the clock, the clock of the population explosion, the clock of scarcity of raw materials and primary products, the clock of deterioration of the urban environment, the clock of the disruption of rural life and ultimately perhaps the clock of the exhaustion of the human race itself, brought on by apathy and disenchantment." Sensing the danger of being engulfed by apathy or diverted from wider concern by exclusive attention to personal and national problems, the leaders of five Canadian churches Anglican, Catholic, Lutheran, Presbyterian and United have urged their people to participate in a joint educational program called "Ten Days for World Development." The period designated is now, at the beginning of February. Some of the study material for use in the congregations could prove controversial e.g. urging the continued boycott of coffee imported from Portugal's African colonies and ques- tioning whether Canada should have a sugar refining industry. But the specifics are not so important as the whole focus of the program on arousing or sustaining a concern for the 70 per cent of the world's people who live in the poor developing countries. What church people give for relief and development programs their name has a considerable impact of its own but cannot compete in importance with what governments could accomplish by adopting fair trade agreements and enlightened investment policies. So the emphasis during the 10 days is not on giving but on receiving receiving light and love to drive away apathy and keep an enlightened pressure on government. Delivered from falsehood Yale University suffered some embarrassment recently when its vaunted "Vinland Map" was shown to be a forgery. Despite the triumphant publicity that called it "the most excit- ing cartographic discovery of the cent- when unveiled in 1965, there have always been doubters who questioned its authenticity. The British Museum had originally sown the seeds for the subsequent crop of doubt when it did a visual analysis of the map by infra-red exposure and discovered that there was no iron in the ink of the map. Since then, a systematic search has been made for 15th century manuscripts from the Upper Rhine which did not use iron compounds of some kind hi their ink. Because the search proved fruitless Yale library was finally nagged by the history department into submitting its map to Walter C. McCrone Associates, Inc., of Chicago for tests. The Chicago firm specializes in small particle analysis. Ink particles taken from the map were found to contain large quantities of anatase, a form of titanium dioxide invented in the 1920s. Thus it has been established, almost certainly, that the map is a fabrication. Dr. Heln Wallis, Yale's curator of renaissance and medieval books, has offered the faint hope that the map may have been drawn from a genuine source which hasn't yet come to light. Curiously, the tests hi Chicago showed that the paper on which the map was drawn dated from about 1440, as had been previously believed. In addition, both the ink and the paper of two old manuscripts with which the map had been linked belong to that time. A good deal of mystery still adheres to the map. Who was the fabricator? Did he find a blank page in one of the two genuine manuscripts or did he clear a page of writing by some means? How did he come by his scholarly knowledge of an obscure topic? What accomplices did he have in .the book selling business? There are enough instances of scholars pulling elaborate spoofs on their confreres to prevent a ruling out of such a possible explanation for the map. But, in view of the substantial amounts of money to be made hi the selling of antiquities, it is likely that cupidity rather than coquettishness lay behind this undertaking. The map and manuscripts, after all, cost the anonymous Yale donor million. Also Yale University Press sold copies of the map and related works at each, and contracted with the Book-of-the- Month Club to print an additional copies for its members. In a time when there is something of a backlash against science, in an espousal of a great many forms of irrationalism, it is good to have this small reminder of the way in which people can be delivered from falsehood by scientific techniques. It is also reassuring to see how some cherished position can be put to the test and abandoned in institutions of higher learning when the evidence requires it. ART BUCHWALD The dollar is champ WASHINGTON The American Dollar, which was knocked on its fanny in 1973, has made a remarkable comeback in the last few months. To find oat what happened I went to its training camp for an interview. The Dollar was in the ring trading punches with 730 Italian Lira and it wasn't even perspiring. At the end of the round it came over to the ropes to talk tome. I said, "how does it feel to be back on top "Everyone had me counted the Dollar chortled, "but I knew I'd make a comeback. The gnomes of Zurich kept saying, 'The Greenback's washed up and can't fight any But they didn't know what they was talking about I'm at my fighting weight now and I can lick any currency in the world." "You sound like the old American Dollar we used to know." "You better believe it Did you see what I did to the French Franc last "Yon pulverized it. How do yoc explain "The Franc was overconfident. It kept flexing its muscles and bad mouthing me all over the world. I knew it would take a good jab to the stomach and it would keel over. That's one fight I really enjoyed winning. Hen, hen. beh." "I saw Out I said, "and I must admit I was as surprised as anyone that the Franc didn't net up off the floor." "Shucks, man. The Franc is nothing. Sid yon see bow I punched the Japanese fen. "Yes, but people are saying you had some help from the Arab oil embargo on that one." "People don't know what they are talking about. I could have taken the Yen with or without the oil embargo. The fat Yen was out of training. The Japanese thought it wac invincible. But I studied films of my previous fight with the Yen and I discovered a lot of weaknesses in it" "Such "I'd rather not say because I might have to fight it again." "Champ, would you say your win over the West German Mark was the most important one you've had this "I didn't knock the Mark out It was a close decision. But I still have a lot of respect for the mark, and if I have to fight it again, I'm going to be mighty careful not to let it swing too close to my head." "The other fight people are talking about is your one-round knockout of the British Pound." "I can't take credit for the Dollar said. "The Pound was in no condition to fight By the time the British sent it into the ring it could hardly stand on its legs. I hardly laid a glove on it and it fell "I think you're being too I said. "Man, I'm not modest. I'm as mean as I ever was. But you can't put the Pound in the same class with the Franc and the Yen." "Champ, now that you're on top again do you think you can stay "As long as people have to pay for oil with dollars I'm going to bold the title." "How do you mink you can do against "Now you're talking about the big fight I have coming up. The gamblers are stin betting on Gold, but I am not afraid of it Hell, it's only as good as the gnomes say it is. I'm going to have Gold on the canvas by the tenth round or hang up my gloves. You have to excuse me now, I have to spar a little with the Peso just to keep in condition, you "Yes, colonialism has been a most invaluable education for us in Grenada." The housing solution By Brace Wbitestooe, syndicated commentator Housebuyers can take little comfort from current proposals to ease their plight; houses will not become either more plentiful or less costly., The massive rise in house and land prices over the past few years has its origin in inflation and in restrictive monetary policie's. By boosting interest rates to a higher plateau, the new wave of inflation has brought housebuyers up against' soaring prices. To minimize that problem, new solutions must be forthcoming. House prices do not seem to be following the old pattern of up-down-up, but instead they go up-up-up in our modern inflationary world. Part of the reason lies in the way housebuilding funds are Nothing has been done to ensure that the same pattern of mortgage supply, rising prices, and then mortgage famine will not be repeated endlessly. Those who have proposed remedies for high housing prices have focused on the wrong things. It is clear that the most popular diagnoses of the trouble are incorrect. Some have suggested changes in building techniques. While anything that would improve efficiency should be supported, something else is needed. One should note that building costs have risen at a much more moderate pace than house prices: the yo-yo effects of the ebb and flow of mortgage supply are a key to the problem of house prices. The building industry itself has made little attempt at its own stabilization but has allowed the market in housing and. thereby, the construction industry, to bear the full brunt of monetary policy with its ups and downs. Every upswing produces shortages of building materials and skilled labor, and yet, there are few additions to capacity or the work force because everyone believes that the shortages will be temporary. Also, the building industry is both smaller and more fragmented than it need be and consequently less efficient than it might be. What is the solution? Government has responded to the housing problem on a truly colossal scale since the 1930s with subsidies of many kinds and a vast network of credit plans. Most of the prescriptions that have been tried'have not yielded benefits that clearly justify their costs. The first step must be, for the building industry to plan on steady volume. If it could be persuaded that the nature of the industry were altered, facilities could be expanded and adequate labor would be trained. Before this kind of change could be effected, however, there must be major industry changes: (1) Relaxation, at least in certain areas, of minimum lot size: zoning rules must be altered to permit houses to be built on lots smaller than the 50 foot standard. (2) The servicing requirements for lots should be simplified. If trunk lines for water and sewers were provided ahead of time, costly individual water and septic tank facilities would not be necessary; and (3) Stipulations as to the types of building materials can be modified. New lightweight, fire-resistant materials can replace more costly components without jeopardizing health or safety standards. The restrictions imposed by provincial governments prevent the building industry from operating as competently as it should. Next, variable tax credits for financial institutions that invest in mortgages should be tried. They could make sure that funds would be provided when needed by raising tax allowances during periods of tight money, and reducing tax credits when money is in good supply. Then, suppliers of mortgage finance should find ways to moderate the changes in interest rates on mortgages. One way of doing this would be to make the term of the mortgage variable. Hence, if interest rates were going up, mortgage payments could be extended over a longer period of time so each payment would not rise. Mortgage companies should also consider more direct tending to the construction industry. Above all, however, they must accept responsibility for ensuring a steady growth in the supply of credit and smoothing out the fluctuations of recent years. If the flow of funds into mortgages were regularized, this would do far more to help the owner-occupiers and the young married couple than an unworkable concept such as land banking or a narrow pre- occupation with mortgage interest rates. In the long run the housing industry can be helped only by a return to sound and stable fiscal and monetary policies. Fiscal gimmicks, controls and subsidy schemes will not do the job. It is to be hoped that governments will recognize these facts, even if rather belatedly. Letters North Lethbridge pool I would like to see the name Stan Siwik given to the pool which is being built in North Lethbridge. Stan Siwik is recognized as a swimming coach locally, nationally and internationally. Some local swimmers who competed in the Olympics, in the Commonwealth and Pan American Games, in national and provincial meets, were able to bring recognition to Lethbridge because Stan Siwik gave of himself and of his time organizing and coaching the Lethbridge Amateur Swim Club, from which these swimmers all got their start. I should think city council would be pleased to give the new pool his name. As to Mr. Barnes' remark "one person's name can become a touchy issue, because many people are connected with swimming activities in the I would say if any other local person's name can be put forward that has given more to swimming than Stan at no cost to the city or anyone I would concede his point. If one can't be found, then city council would do well to call the pool the Stan Siwik Pool. JUNE SMITH Lethbridge. Ignorant residents Recently we have seen another illustration of the un- enlightenment and ignorance Of some residents of Lethbridge. As a resident of the city myself, I feel ashamed of the biased opinion generated towards such an eminently noteworthy association as the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission. Yet, the property owner with the aid of pressure from his tenants, has the presump- tion to reject the commission's usage of his house, without even knowing the meaning and definition of "halfway house." Couldn't these concerned citizens at least, have spared the time to attend the municipal planning commission meeting to learn before drawing such whimsical, shallow conclusions. The city of Lethbridge is growing up, isn't it time for these concerned citizens to do likewise? Help benefit yourself and others by helping the alcoholic or drug depen- dent person resume a place in the community. Who knows? maybe you or a member of your family needs this kind of help now or in the near future. DONNA RIGELHOF Lethbridge Traffic regulations For the past year or more, I have noticed that heavy truck and machinery traffic is using 2nd avenue north from 13th Street east, as an access route to the eastern area of our city. This avenue was never intended for such traffic, being through a residential area, and mainly a narrow avenue with automobiles parked on each side. This traffic is not only creating a traffic hazard but also an intolerable noise nuisance for the residents along the avenue and adjacent to it. These people have their homes rattled by day and their sleep disturbed by night by this heavy traffic. This was a very nice residential area. Must we have it spoiled by this unwarranted heavy traffic? We pay a big price for so called planning for our city, but certainly in the field of traffic regulation and control, planning is conspicuous only by its absence. It is high time heavy truck and machinery traffic was banned from all residential streets and avenues, (except in cases of emergency) and regulated to the use of commercial arteries only, otherwise in our residential areas there will be bedlam. Let's have more protest from our citizens. A RESIDENT Lethbridge Dependability first The idea of a vital community need such as electricity originating many miles distant from the city and consequently vulnerable to the worst that nature can do appears to me to be wrong. In considerations such as our power source, I would say the emphasis should be upon dependability rather than economy. Nothing could be as reliable as a generating plant using coal (as an energy conservation measure) located within the community. Morally and practically we should not use gas to energize generators when coal is at hand, for coal properly belongs to industry, and gas in the home. With a new product of electrical technology functioning efficiently near the present site of the "power this city would be almost free of the endless threat of disruption to its power needs. Furthermore there should be a moral in the notorious current situation that exists between Arabia and this continent, that it does not pay in the long run to be dependent upon others for energy supplies. Finally, we have in coal, the energy source right under our feet. LLOYD R. WEIGHTMAN Lethbridge. High oil estimates The latest estimates of oil and natural gas reserves in the British sector of the North Sea are: oil 12 to 15 billion barrels of low sulphur content oil; natural gas 40 trillion cubic feet. Oil industry spokesmen are confident that by 1978 the British Isles will be self- sufficient in oil and by 1983 the North Sea will be sustaining exports of two to three million barrels of oil a day to western Europe. In view of tfle above, I fail to see why The Herald is always printing columns of gloom, doom and misery ahead for Britain. With oil at premium ANGLOPHOBE prices it appears that Lethbndge. Britain's chronic balance of payments crisis and lack of adequate amounts of capital will be a thing of the past. Looking ahead to the 1960s Britain's future seems assured and of all the western industrialized nations, Britain's future appears the brightest. If The Herald's editorial and news writers would contact the chairmen of Canadian companies such as United Canso Oil and Gas Co. Ltd. and Ranger Oil Co. Ltd., they would learn of this bright side to Britain's future. The Lethbridge Herald LETHBRIDGE HERALD CO. LTD ana Second Qew Man Reginrvnon Mo 0012 CLEO MOWERS. Editor and DON H PRJUMQ DONALD R DORAM Managing Edtor General Manager ROY P. MILES DOUGLAS K WALKER GdWortai Page Editor ROBERT M FEHTOH Otfwflwon Manager KENNETH BARNETT Business Manager "Crisis, mate? I wovMi't aever read tbe papers, THE HERALD SERVES THE SOUTH"
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